Giant Cell Arteritis Flashcards
Giant cell arteritis
How does it present?
5
- Severe unilateral headache around the temples, forehead and neck
- Scalp tenderness when combing hair
- Jaw claudication (when eating)
- Blurred vision
- Irreversible vision loss
Other systemic symptoms may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and myalgia.
Giant cell arteritis
If a diagnosis of giant cell (temporal) arteritis is suspected, which three findings would you look for on clinical examination?
- temporal tenderness
- palpable, thickened temporal artery
- visual loss
Giant cell arteritis
Which two further investigations would be most helpful in making the diagnosis?
- ESR
- temporal artery biopsy
biopsy: If positive, multinucleated giant cells will be found under microscopy. Often, the temporal artery is inflamed in patches, also known as ‘skip lesions.’
Giant Cell Arteritis
Pathophysiology
- autoimmune
- granulomatous inflammation in temporal (and other) arteries
Giant Cell Arteritis
Management
- high dose corticosteroids
- involve opthalmoplogy team
consider prescribing aspirin 75mg to reduce the risk of vision loss and stroke and a PPI for gastric protection whilst on steroids.
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis, also known as ____, is an inflammatory disease affecting the large arteries of the scalp, neck and temples.
It is a type of systemic ____ and has a strong association with ____.
Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammatory disease affecting the large arteries of the scalp, neck and temples. It is a type of systemic vasculitis and has a strong association with polymyalgia rheumatica.
Giant Cell Arteritis
What are 3 complications?
- Permanent Vision Loss
- Stroke
- Aortitis - aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection
